A Brush with Murder by Bailee Abbott ~ Character Interview

Posted October 14, 2021 by karenbaron in Blitz, Blog Tour, Character Interview, Contest - Giveaway, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

A Brush with Murder

Series: A Paint by Murder Mystery #1

Author: Bailee Abbott

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 320

Release Date: October 12, 2021, by Crooked Lane Books

Summary:

A quiet lakeside town in western New York state is the new home of Manhattan artist Chloe Abbington and the backdrop for murder in this series debut by Bailee Abbott.

For Chloe Abbington, the transition from fine art painter in New York City to painting-event business owner in charming Whisper Cove is more than a little jarring. But when poison-pen journalist Fiona Gimble writes a viciously negative review of the newly opened Paint with a View, Chloe learns that critics are the same everywhere. And when she finds Fiona’s body behind her shop with a painting knife in her neck, Chloe realizes that this picture-perfect town offers anything but peace and quiet.

Suddenly, bustling Artisan Alley is a crime scene, and Chloe is the prime suspect. Her sister and business partner, Izzie, isn’t much help–she’s busy running the shop, and besides, she has secrets of her own. As shrewd Detective Barrett tries to paint her into a corner, Chloe soon finds that Fiona had plenty of enemies. The Whisper Cove Gazette columnist wielded her pen like a sword, slicing and dicing just about every shop owner in the lakeside town.

Chloe sets out to prove that she’s been framed for Fiona’s murder. But she’d better learn the fine art of detection quickly, before the real killer paints the town red again. Otherwise, she may end up trading in her paint smock for an orange jumpsuit…or a green burial plot.

Interview with Chloe Abbington

How did you and your author meet?

Such a coincidence! We were both visiting this cute little lakeshore town in New York and wanted to cross the ferry, but there was only room for one more car. She was generous enough to let me go ahead while she waited for the next trip. I suggested she leave her car in the parking lot and come along with me for the ride. It would give us time to chat. Something told me we would hit it off, and we did!

Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?

I think she loved my ideas about running a paint party business. You see, my sister and I and our parents are all artists. Anyway, it just so happened that this writer had an idea for a book that needed a character that was artistic and a real go-getter. That’s me!

Do you have any friends or family helping you out?

Oh, sure! My sister Izzie had the idea to start a craft shop and name it Paint with a View, because you see it overlooks Chautauqua Lake. Anyway, I came home to Whisper Cove to help run the place, and before I knew it, we became partners in the business. Lots going on in our little town, but the local detective seems to do well in keeping an eye on things. If only my ex-boyfriend didn’t decide to pop in for a visit and bring complications into my life. But that’s a whole other story!

Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full time detective?

Like I mentioned, I help run Paint with a View, and it definitely keeps me and my sister busy. However, when someone ended up dead in the back alley behind the shop, and I just happened to find it, well…I didn’t need to stretch my imagination too far to figure I’d be a murder suspect. What else was I supposed to do? Yeah, that’s right. I did some investigating of my own to figure out whodunnit.

What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?

Ha! That’s an easy question to answer. My sister had this crazy idea to help promote business. I wasn’t totally buying into it, but finally I gave in. Looking like a silly goof, I dressed as Minnie Mouse while Izzie put on a Mickey Mouse costume. With a billboard shaped like a paint palate hanging from my neck and a handful of promo flyers, I stood on the corner of Whisper Cove Boulevard for all to see. Talk about embarrassing! Especially when that handsome detective showed up. Oh well, it was worth it because we sold out of tickets for the next several events.

Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?

This is my first, and hopefully my last. The very idea of murder gives me a queasy stomach and nightmares. What’s surprising is that I lived in New York City for two years and never saw a dead body. I come home to my quaint little town of Whisper Cove and wouldn’t you know it, I find one behind the shop with a painting knife sticking out of her neck!

Do you have a gift or special talent?

I’m pretty talented at art. In fact, my entire family is. I spent several months in the French Quarter of Paris, rubbing shoulders with some wonderful artists, then lived two years in New York hoping to make a name for myself and maybe land a showing at one of the galleries. That plan didn’t work out so well, and then my sister called to ask for help with the shop. No worries, though. I’ll get back to painting again and find that connection in the Big Apple. I’m not giving up on my dream just yet.

Who is the most important individual in your life?

I can’t pick just one, but I’ll say three – Izzie, Mom, and Dad.

What is your ideal vacation?

Paris is pretty in the spring, but Whisper Cove has a lot to offer. Sticking around here, but maybe taking a break from the shop, would be a nice vacation. Take the family sailboat up the lake, visit a few wineries, maybe stop in Mayville to catch a concert at the amphitheater, shop for a special outfit at one of the boutiques, and so much more to do would fill my days.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

Oh, maybe having conquered that New York dream and seen my work showcased in several art galleries. Then someone might say, “hey, isn’t that a Chloe Abbington painting? She is really talented.” But then again, life is pretty darn great the way it is right now. I can put that NYC dream on hold for a while. To be continued!

About the Author

Bailee Abbott is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Bailee lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Visits to Bemus Point, a town along the Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York inspired the setting for the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series. She also writes the SIERRA PINES B&B mystery series under the name Kathryn Long.